A Key of Knowledge to Open Revelation, Part 1 · Chapter 3

A Key of Knowledge to Open Revelation · Part 1 · Chapter 3

p. 32CHAP. III.

The ſumme of the third chapter. Reaſons for both Proteſtants and Papiſts. The firſt reaſon, to know in what ſtate they doe ſtand.

Proteſtants and Papiſts (as ſeuerally, ſo ioyntly) ſhould ſtudie this booke, for the good of them both.

I. BY this booke ſhall they know, that which is moſt neceſſary to bee knowne of them both, that is, in what ſtate they ſtand, whether they bee for Chriſt, or Antichriſt; what marke they hauehave, the fathers, or the beaſts; in what place they ſtand, in Babylon, or in the Temple of God; among whom they are, whether of the Gentiles and nations following the beaſt, or with the Lambe on mount Sion, among the elect, choſen, and faithfull. To know all things, and not to know theſe things, is to know (indeed) nothing at all; without this knowledge, no true comfort, no aſſurance of ſaluation. Now this booke, (aboue all other parts of ſacred Scripture) diſcouereth plainly and fully theſe things vntounto vsus, ranking al that beare the name of Chriſtians, in their due order & place, to the one ſide or to the other. For in this booke is ſhewed: I. Two perſons (principall heads) that is, Chriſt, and Antichriſt. II. Two places, new Ieruſalem, and Babylon. III. The inhabitants of the one, and the inhabitants of the other, with the qualities and conditions of either of them diſtinctly noted. IV. Here be two markes, the fathers marke, and the beaſts marke, either of them to know their owne by. Now eueryevery one of vsus, are either Chriſts, or Antichriſts, p. 33either citizens of the new Ieruſalem, or dwellers in Babylon, and hauehave verily vponupon vsus, the fathers marke or the beaſts; which in this book we ſhall, by Gods mercifull aſſiſtance, well diſcerne, if we by ardent prayer and diligent ſtudie ſeriouſlie peruſe and carefully reade it ouer. Theſe are points of ſo great moment, as eueryevery man, that hath any care of his ſaluation, ſhould labour for the certaine knowledge thereof, and right gladly ſhould theſe things cauſe vsus to take, now at the length, this holy booke into our hands, by which we may of ſo great and neceſſarie truths be fully reſolued.

II. This booke will decide the maineſt pointsThe ſecond reaſon, to know how to decide maine points of controuerſie betweene vsus and them. of controuerſie betweene vsus and them, as the laſt ſection in the former chapter doth ſhew, concerning the Church, the Miniſterie, our callings, the viſibilitie, and hidden ſtate of the Church, with ſuch other points, about which there is ſuch eager contending, and about which many great and troubleſome diſputations are daily in hand, thouſands of queſtions propounded, and learned men on both ſides euen wearied therewith; which bring weake apprehenſions into amazments, and the vnſetled into deſperate thoughts of Atheiſme, to thinke it no matter whether they be of this or that ſide, or of neither, but to liue as Newters to either, and ſo to be in themſelues of no religion at all, as too many be. But if this book were better knowne, and more plainly laid open, without all ſiniſter and partiall reſpect, the weake ones on our ſide would bee ſtrongly ſetled, and many deceiued ſoules on their part would be recouered, and made zealous p. 34in this libertie of the Goſpell and freedome from Antichriſtianiſme, which the Lord Ieſus grant, euen ſo, Amen.

III. This booke ſo cleerely ſetteth out in flatThe third reaſon, to know the true and falſe Church aſunder. oppoſition the true and falſe Church, with their heads, members, parts and properties, as any indifferent Reader, Proteſtant or Papiſt, may iudge which is the one, which is y^e other; who are Chriſts, who be Antichriſts, who bee true Chriſtians, who be Antichriſtians, as the difference and alſo the oppoſition now here following fully declareth.

Heere behold now and ſee, all theſe particularsAn exhortation. ſet forth to the open view of eueryevery mans eye; let vsus, which hauehave happily eſcaped, and thoſe that are yet among them, which in honeſt ſimplicitie of heart miſtake things, learne hereby to diſcerne betweene Chriſt and Antichriſt, the true ſpouſe, and the filthie whore; the faithfull ſeruants of Chriſt, and the diuelliſh inſtruments of Antichriſt; betweene true Chriſtians in name and deede, and Chriſtians onelyonly in name, but Antichriſtians in deed; ſo ſhall we ſtill ſtand in the way of life, and they (poore ſoules) eſcape the ſnares of death, euen ſo Lord Ieſus, Amen. But becauſe I know, that obſtinate ſpirits will obiect againſt the cleere light; but other, for better ſatisfaction to themſelues; I will heere doe my beſt to reſolue the one, of whom I am hopefull, and leaue the other more inexcuſable, of whom there is no hope; for full well I wote by this booke, that ſuch as liue in this Romiſh fornication, ſuch as partake of her delicacies, ſuch as gaine by her, ſuch as God leaueth, andSome ſhall neuer be brought from Poperie. the falſe prophet, or Lambe-like beaſt, and beaſtly Lambe deceiueth, they ſhall bee her louers to the vtmoſt end; and therefore of theſe wee ſhall bee ſure to finde ſome wickedly oppoſing againſt p. 43the moſt plaine truthes that may bee, ſtill to harden their owne hearts, and to deceiue others; which point (good Chriſtian reader) I pray thee ſeriouſly take notice of, that by theſe obſtinate perſons, thou be not either ſeduced from vsus, or miſerably kept within that moſt accurſed ſtate. Lord open thine eyes to ſee, to conſider, and to be reſolued, if yet thou ſhalt doubt; and the Lord confound all obſtinate and malicious gain-ſaying. Amen.

I. Obiect. You in theſe oppoſitions do take for granted,By Babylon is not meant Rome. that by Babylon is meant Rome; which if it were ſo, who would not come out of her, ſeeing the Lord ſo plainly commandeth it, cap. 18. 4? but it cannot bee proued, that by Babylon is meant Rome.

Anſw. It is moſt cleere to the eyes of all thatIt is cleere, that by Babylon, Rome is to be vnderſtood. winke not wilfully, that by Babylon, Rome is vnderſtood by Iohn, which I thus euidently prooue from the text. The Citie which then raigned ouer the Kings of the earth, was Rome, the Euangeliſt ſheweth it, Luk. 2. 1. The Acts of the Apoſtles, where is ſhewed what a great matter it was to be a Romane, ca. 16. 37. 39. and 22. 25. 28. Alſo the dominion of Rome ouer Cities and countries, cap. 16. 21. and 23. 24. 26. 33. and 24. 2. 3. and the ſoueraignty of Caeſars, cap. 25. 10. 12. and 26. 32. Of this, humane ſtories giuegive witneſſe, that the point herein is vndeniable; except mans impudencieMachabees, Ioſephus, and others. will giuegive the lie to God and men. Now this great Citie ſo raigning, is ſaid to bee the woman, …euel. 17. 18. this woman is the condemned whore ſitting vponupon many waters, in verſ. 1. which p. 44are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues, verſ. 15. the dominion of Rome. This whoriſh woman hath the name of Babylon vponupon her, chap. 17. 5. therfore I conclude, if the raigning City be Rome, and this Citie the woman, and the womans name Babylon, that Rome is here meant by Babylon. Againe, that Citie which is ſeated on ſeuen hils is Rome; that Rome was ſeated vponupon ſeuen hils, all that hauehave deſcribed it, and ſpoken thereof do witneſſe the ſame. Virgil, lib. 2. Georg. in fin. lib. 6. Aen. Propertius, Eleg. 10. lib. 3. Varro, lib. 5. de lin. lat. Plutarch calleth Rome ſeuen-hilled, and the names offoreign. the hilles are knowne; Palatinus, Capitolinus, Quirinalis, Caelius, Eſquilinus, Viminalis, Auentinus. But the Citie here vnderſtood, and called Babylon was ſeated on ſeuen hils, for the woman the City (ſaith the text) ſitteth on ſeuen mountaines or hils: therefore by this muſt Rome needes bee vnderſtood: conſider with this, chap. 16. 19. where this great City, and Babylon are mentioned together, as one and the ſame. To this the teſtimonies of good authors may be added, and the confeſſion of Papiſts themſelues, which may bee ſeene at large, in Maſter Doctor Downhams booke againſt Antichriſt, cap. 2. pag. 11. and 12. to which I refer the Reader.

II. Obiect. I thinke it is granted, indeed, that BabylonRome Heathen, and not Chriſten, is Babylon. is put for Rome, but ſo it must bee vnderſtood, as it then was Rome, heathen, being a bloody Citie by the perſecution of thoſe tyrannicall Emperours, and not as it is Rome Christen, vnderunder the holy Father, the Biſhop of Rome.

p. 45Anſw. Rome is in this prophecie called Babylon,Rome is Babylon, as it is Chriſten, vnderunder the Pope. 1. Reaſon. Eſay 1. Hoſ. 2. 1. -5.Isa 1Hos 2:1–5 not as it was then Heathen, but as it became Chriſten, and that vnderunder the Pope. I. Rome cannot be called the whore, but in reſpect of her Apoſtacie from her former faithfulneſſe, for ſhe was a glorious Church, Rom. 1. from which ſhe falling, the faithfull Citie became an harlot, as in the like caſe the Prophet ſpeaketh. Therefore is it not Rome Heathen vnderunder the Emperous, which was neither then, nor before, the Church of Chriſt; but euer liued in Gentiliſme; wherefore Rome muſt be vnderſtood to be the whore, as it was Chriſten and an Apoſtaticall Church. II. Rome is not2. Reaſon. deſcribed in the woman, cap. 17. 2. 3. as it then was in Iohns time, but as it afterwards ſhould be. 1. For that Iohn was in a great admiration at this ſight of her, as a thing not before knowne vntounto him; now he knew Heathen Rome in the preſent ſtate well enough, and ſo hee had no cauſe of ſo great admiration, as at this, which ſhould be: 2. This City was not yet (as is proued) become the woman, the whore. 3. The text ſaith plainly, that the beaſt, deſcribed ſo as Iohn ſaw him bearing the whore, was not then, cap. 17. 10. 11. which may by reaſon be further proued; becauſe his originall is ſhewed vntounto Iohn, cap. 13. 1. which cannot be the originall of the Romane Empire; for that nothing prophecied heere, muſt bee extended beyond the time of Iohns receiuing of this prophecie, cap. 4. 1. and 22. 6. Now the Romane Empire was, before Iohns Reuelation, ſet out in the Dragon, whoſe originall therefore is not mentioned, chap. 12. 3. this one p. 46point obſerued would looſe many a knot in this booke: alſo, for that this beaſt heere is after the Dragon, which being caſt out of heauen, the beaſt receiueth his power, ſeat, and great authority, cap. 19. 12. and 13. 1. 2. Laſtly, for that the hornes of this beaſt are crowned, cap. 13. and are ten Kings, cap. 17. 12. which in Iohns time, (as the Angell ſaith) had (as yet) receiued no kingdome, but ſhould (at one houre) with the beaſt, cap. 17. 12. therfore was the beaſt (ſo deſcribed bearing the whore) yet to come. III. Then is Rome Babylon, when it is3. Reaſon. alſo a myſtery, chap. 17. 5. and ſuch a myſterie as needeth an interpretation, verſ. 7. as alſo being the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth, verſ. 5. alluring Kings, verſ. 2. and making all the earth to wonder after the beaſt, verſ. 8. which muſt needs be Rome Chriſten, deceiuing the world, ca. 13. 13. and not Heathen, murthering ſuch as made open profeſſion of the very name of Chriſt, in Iohns daies, which to him was no wonder or myſterie. IV. Rome is Babylon, when ſhe ſitteth vponupon4. Reaſon. the beaſt, for ſo the text ſaith, the great Citie is the woman, cap. 17. 18. and the woman ſits vponupon the beaſt, verſ. 3. but this is, when Rome is Chriſten; for this beaſt (as we hauehave heard) was not till the Heathen Emperours were gone from Rome. V. Rome is Babylon, when the beaſt wheron ſhe5. Reaſon. ſitteth, had gotten with his Gentiles (for ſo are the adherents of this beaſt called) the out-court to tread downe the holy Citie 42. moneths, cap. 13. 5. and 11. 2. which had the continuance many hundreds of yeeres after Iohns dayes, and after the p. 47time of the Heathen Emperous. VI. Rome is Babylon, when the beaſt like a Lambe wrought miracles and wonders, and was the falſe prophet deceiuing the people, cap. 13. 11. 13. 14. and 19. 20. and cauſing them to make an image to the former beaſt, &c. cap. 13. 14. 15. which was not when Rome was Heathen, but Chriſten, becauſe the firſt vpriſing of this beaſt is ſhewed vntounto Iohn, chap. 13. 11. Thus therefore we ſee plainly, that Babylon here is Rome after ſhe receiued Chriſtianitie, and when ſhe was (as now ſhe is) ruled by the Pope.

III. Obiect. If this bee ſo, as me thinke you doe make it moſt apparent, then of neceſsitie ſhould the Pope be that Antichriſt; for all learned Catholikes acknowledge that here he is to be found, euen that great Antichriſt, which they doe looke for to come: but you cannot proue the holy father the Pope to be Antichriſt.

Anſw. As it is cleere, that Rome is Babylon, andThe Pope of Rome is that Antichriſt. the ſame ſo, when it became Chriſtian; ſo is it alſo, as apparent, that the Pope of Rome is that Antichriſt, out of this booke, thus: Whom by this book we may finde to be that Antichriſt, be it is and none other: But by this booke wee may finde the Pope to be that Antichriſt: Therefore the Pope is be and none other. The firſt propoſition is acknowledged of the PapiſtsRibera and Viegas in their Commentaries. themſelues, for they ſay and write that Antichriſt is deſcribed in this booke, euen that: foreign, the grand Antichriſt. The other propoſition, that by this booke we may finde the Pope to be him, is euident by theſe arguments following.

I. Argument is from the beaſt, chap. 1…. 1. andThe firſt argument. 17. 4. Thus; This beaſt is that Antichriſt but the Pope p. 48is this beaſt: therefore the Pope is that Antichriſt. TheThe propoſition is his Maieſties in the Apologie to all Chriſtian Monarchies, &c. pag 55. and 91. former propoſition is proued, becauſe this beaſt in this booke is ſhewed to bee againſt Chriſt, and yet is the ſtate of Rome Chriſten, bearing vp the Apoſtaticall Church, chap. 17. 4. and hath the power ouer the holy Citie; and the Out-court, which is the viſible profeſſion of Chriſtianitie, (as a part of the temple, which is the true Church) is granted to him and his Gentile-like Chriſtians, who do tread vnderunder foote the holie Citie (Chriſts true Church) for a time, chap. 11. 2. 7. and 13. 7. Let my godlie and learned brethren (I humbly beſeech them) not reiect, as vaine, this aſſertion, though the moſt ſay, that this beaſt is the Romane Empire of the Heathen. Let not our eies be ſhut vponupon the truth, when it appeareth, though tenne thouſand hauehave thought otherwiſe. I confeſſe it calleth that to remembrance in ſome ſort, and I acknowledge it alſo to be a Romane Empire or Monarchie; but not that Heathen, but this vnderunder the Pope, in his pontificalitie and Popedome: which I thus proue, by the way, to eueryevery indifferent iudge. I. The RomaneThe firſt beaſt in chap. 13. 1. is not the Heathen Empire, but the Popedome. Heathen Monarchie was in Iohns daies typed out in the Dragon, as all the particulars ſhew, chap. 12. II. That gaue way to this in power, ſeate & great authoritie, as the text ſheweth, chap. 13. 3. II. This was not in Iohns daies, but to come, as before I hauehave ſhewed, and the reaſons alleaged. IV. The difference of this Monarchie is ſuch from that of the Heathen, as they can no waies agree. The Heathen Empire receiued her power, ſeate and authoritie from no earthly power, but this wee ſee p. 49doth; whence that aroſe is not noted, but this isSuch difference betweene this beaſt and the heathen Empire of the Romanes, as they cannot poſſibly be one. out of the Sea, chap. 13. 1; that had crownes vponupon his head, this on his hornes: This followed of all the world with admiration and worſhipped, ſo was not the other; That was ſet out but by one forme of a Dragon, this by ſeueral beaſts in their parts; This muſt warre againſt the Saints, chap. 11. 7. and 13. 7. and theſe againſt him and his companie, and at length ouercome him, cap. 17. 14. 19. 20. ſo did not Chriſtians againſt the Heathen Monarchie. The hornes of this, by which hee was defended, ſhall be his deſtruction, chap. 17. 16. ſo were not the hornes to the other. This hath his time limited 42 moneths, which the Papiſts acknowledge, and that more truly then they wote of, to be the time of Anti-chriſt; and therefore cannot be the Heathen Empire, becauſe the beginning of this is after that, as is aforeſaid; this vnlike all that euer were before him, a beaſt of ſo variable beaſtly qualities, as that, one beaſt is not enough to expreſſe his nature, and in chap▪ 17. 10. hee is not called the ſeuenth, but another, to note a variable difference from all the reſt before him: more ſuch differences might be noted. V. This beareth vp the Woman, which I hauehave prooued to bee Rome Chriſtian, which that neuer did. If we acknowledge the Woman the Citie, this Babylon, and Babylon Rome, wee cannot hold this beaſt to be the Heathen Monarchie, for it continued not to y^• Whores ſitting vponupon this beaſt. VI. This beaſt is in the daies of that beaſt, which the Papiſts acknowledge to bee Antichriſt, chap. 13. 12. 13. for there the text ſaith, p. 50he cauſed him to be worſhipped, exerciſing all his power before him, yea the beaſt, verſe 1, and this other beaſt, which is the falſe Prophet, ſhall euer liue together as one, chap. 16, and periſh together, cap. 19. 20: therefore with the leaue of all the godlie learned, not offending them, I hope I may hence conclude that this beaſt is not the Romane Monarchie Heathen, but indeede, and truth, Antichriſtian, and againſt Chriſt in a Chriſtian profeſſion.

Now how contrary to Chriſt this beaſt is, appearethThis beaſt is contrary to Chriſt. fully from the text: I. Chriſt is againſt the Dragon, chap. 12. 7: but this and the Dragon be in amitie, chap. 13. 3. 4. II. Chriſt commeth from heauen, chap. 10. 1. this out of the bottomleſſe pit, chap. 11. 7. and 7. 8. III. Chriſt warreth on the Saints part, chap. 17. 14. this againſt them, chap. 11. 7. and 13. 7. and againſt Chriſt himſelfe with all his, chap. 19. 19. IV. Chriſt exalteth the true Church on high, chap. 14. 1. this with his Gentiles treadeth her vnderunder foote, cap. 11. 2. V. Chriſt protecteth his Miniſters, hauing them as ſtarres in his hand, chap. 1. and 2. 1. and praiſeth their well doing, chap. 2. and 3. This, for the diſcharging of their miniſterie and preaching, murthereth them, chap. 11. 7. VI. Chriſt honoureth his Father, but this like a very Rabſhekah, blaſphemeth God, his name, his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heauen, cap. 13. 6. VII. Chriſt maintaineth his Spouſe, Bride and wife, araying her in fine linnen, cleane & white, which is the righteouſnes of the Saints, cap. 19. 7. 8. This vpholdeth a damned and drunken common p. 51whore, attyring her coſtly, to make others to commit filthineſſe with her, cap. 17. 3. 4. 5. Therefore is this beaſt, that great and oppoſite enemy, euen that grand Antichriſt: So much for the propoſition, that This beaſt is Antichriſt.

The minor propoſition is, The Pope is this beaſt, which, beſides the text, cap. 17. 11, I thus prooue: Whom this type onelyonly ſetteth out and repreſenteth vntounto vsus, that is the Antitype and beaſt here meant. But the Pope in his Pontificalitie and Popedome is the Antitype and beast here meant. The maior part needeth no proofe; the minor is manifeſt by the full agreement of the Popes Pontificalitie and Popedome with this beaſt in all the particulars. For this Popedome is, I. a Princedome or King-like, yea rather,The agreement of the Popedome with this beaſt, chap. 13. an Emperiall ſtate, as the word (beaſt) is taken in Daniel. II. This aroſe out of the Sea of falſe doctrine of the ſupremacie to Peters Chaire. III. It hath ſeuen heads, that is, hills, where the principall ſeate of this Popedome is, chap. 17. IV. It hath ten hornes crowned, a potent power of Princes aiding him and giuing their ſtrength to this authoritie, cap. 17. 13. Such were the Kings of Spaine, Portugal, France, Hungary, Bohemia, England, Scotland, Denmarke, Poland, Ruſsia with others. V. His heads, the high place of his Popedom hath aſcribed therto what is proper to God, to bee the foundation of Churches, the Vicar of Chriſts ſeate; yea vponupon one of the gates of the Citie hath this blaſphemie been written to Sixtus the fourth, Meritò in terris crederis Iunius vponupon this place.eſſe Deus; Thou art worthilie on earth taken for God. VI. Like a Leopard is the Pope in his Popedome, p. 52a State ſpotted with all filthineſſe vncurably; of an alluring ſweetnes to get the prey, and firce with all eagernes to rampe at it; flying at the faces and eyes of men hindring the bootie, as the Leopard will doe; wholly it is as a Leopard, but partaketh of Beares feete onelyonly, which are ſmooth, long and broad, the nailes whereof in going enter the earth, where they are ſet downe. This Popedom partakes of the Beares feete, it paſſed ſmoothly a long time, ſpreading farre and wide, and wherefoeuer it ſetled, there it left good teſtimonie of the piercing nailes, and ſtrength of the feeting behind continually. A Lions mouth it hath, terrible is it vponupon the prey, and roaring out fearfull excommunications and curſings, making, as the Lion, the reſt of the beaſts of the forreſt to tremble with feare. VII. He hath (the Heathen Emperours taken out of the way) the Dragons power to enforce and ſubdue perforce, as they did; his throne is Rome, for he hath reigned and obtained ſo great authoritie, as hee hath ſaid and done, euen what hee pleaſed, without controlement, as did the heathen Emperours.

VIII. It receiued a deadly wound by the Goths, Vandals, Hunnes, and other Northerne people comming as a flood, making as it were no being thereof for a ſpace, but the deadly wound was at length healed, and this Popedome, this Romane Eccleſiaſticall Monarchie and Papall dignitie reuiued.

IX. With this pontificall ſtate fell the world in admiration, highly eſteeming the ſeate, for that it p. 53was the head of the Romane heathen Empire, and ſo ſtrōg was this beaſt (the Pope) in his Popedom, that none was able to make warre with him; Emperours had the worſt, and their neckes hauehave been troden vponupon, and glad they were to kiſſe his feete.

X. A mouth, that is, habilitie to declare his pleaſure, and power was giuen to the ſame by the flatterie of ſome learned men, by baſe feare of other ſome, by the wicked decrees of Councels, and by Kings yeelding their power and kingdome to the beaſt: ſo as great things and very blaſphemies were commanded, taught and maintained by this Antichriſtian Hierarchie; for the particulars of theſe great things & blaſphemies, reade D. Downhams booke of Antichriſt, chap. 5.

XI. In this hautie ſtate and proud blaſphemous loftineſſe he hath had his 42 moneths to continue, or 1260 daies, to tread downe Gods true Church, which are prophetically put for yeeres, which is the full time of this popiſh rule and vſurped power, now againe greatly decaied, bleſſed be God.

XII. Of the Popes purple and ſcarlet coloured garments, giuen (as they ſay) by Conſtantine the Emperour vntounto Silueſter the firſt, may wee reade in the Decret. diſtinct. 96; and how bloud-red this Popedome hath been made by the warres raiſed againſt the Saints, the ſtories doe ſhew.

XIII. This pontificall dignitie and power hath been ouer all kindreds, tongues and nations, this is the Vniuerſalitie which this beaſt hath, and we yeeld to the Popedome.

XIV. This Antichriſtian authoritie beareth vp p. 54that whoriſh religion, for the woman Babylon ſitteth thereon, as is noted chap. 17. 4.

XV. The Popes dominion was the next (to the heathen Emperours) that ſpred out it ſelfe from Rome, ſo conſidered is the beaſt that was, vz. in the beginning to riſe, but is not, vponupon the comming-in of the Gothes & Vandals was ouerthrowne for a time, and ſo in mens opinions ſeemed not to be, for that Genſericus bereaued Rome of eueryevery dweller: Totilas made it a wilderneſſe, as Bloudus witneſſeth in his booke of Decad. And Adaulphus ſo deſtroyed Rome, as ſhe was minded to change her name to Gothia; ſo the reigne of theſe Gothes darkned the riſing of (this new dominiō) the Popedom, which yet is had a being in the time of this Gothian furie, and ſo was the ſeuenth head: but the Pope ariſing and recouering his begun dignitie, curing the wound giuen, and being eſtabliſhed in his Popedome, ruling ouer Kings and Emperors, was now as another gouernment, and ſtate from the former, and ſo in account the eighth, and yet of the ſeuen; to ſhew, that though hee be the eighth now, he is one of the ſeuen, as before he was, retaining the right in the Romane Kingdome, which one of the ſeuen heads, and not the eighth, muſt doe, for that the beaſt hath but ſeuen heads. And this is the reaſon, why he ſaith he is the eighth, and one of the ſeuen; to ſhew (I ſay) that being thus the eighth, yet he held the place among the ſeuen heads, and ſo his right to the beaſt, that is, to the Romane kingdome, and not to put vsus into doubt, which of the ſeuen he ſhould be; when it is euident, p. 55that the Caeſars were the ſixth head in Iohns daies, and the Popes Eccleſiaſticall iuriſdiction following vponupon the tranſlation of the Empire was the ſeuenth, as our Soueraigne moſt learned in theſe myſteries, in his Apologie affirmeth. For if theApol. pag. 81. Gothes and that rabble had been the ſeuenth, how could this be the eight, and one of the ſeuen? there ſhould hauehave been no roome for him there then, all the places in full order being taken vp before him. And if wee note it, though it bee ſaid one of his heads was wounded, chap. 13. 3, without naming which; yet it is ſaid, it was his owne deadly wound, meaning the wound of him which now is the eighth, and which Iohn in all this type pointeth vsus vntounto. Therfore was he one of the heads in the time of the wound giuen by the ſword, which head though wounded, yet did liue, chap. 13. 14: by which it is euident, that this beaſt was in the ſeuenth head, is not in reſpect of the deadly wound receiued in that head, in which he was to hauehave his being, and now might ſeeme hopeleſſe of that being, and yet is by being aliue, that is, retaining life ſtill vnderunder that deadly wound: which comming to be cured, and hauing gotten now an addition of temporal power (in this his ſecond appearing) to his former Eccleſiaſticall iuriſdiction, hee was the eighth and one of the ſeuenth, euen indeed the ſeuenth, which was in the view of the world, but of a ſhort continuance, and ſo ſcarcely taken notice of, to be any head at Rome ſucceeding the Emperours.

Laſtly, this beaſt for al his great power and glorie p. 56goeth into perdition, in him this Romiſh dominion muſt come to ruine. And doe not we ſee, bleſſed be God, doe all the Papiſts in the world what they can, that this Popedome decaieth daily, and ſhall ſo doe, euen to vtter perdition? And thus hauehave I ſhewed, the Pope in his Popedome and the beaſt to be all one: therefore the beaſt being Antichriſt, the Pope muſt needes be ſo alſo; ſo much for the firſt argument from the beaſt ariſing out of the ſea, to proue the Pope that Antichriſt, for a greater then this beaſt neuer was, nor ſhall be, as that which hath been ſaid ſufficiently maketh manifeſt.

Queſt. If this beaſt be the Popedome, and not the Heathen Empire; why is it ſaid that he hath ſeuen heads and ten hornes, as that had?

Anſw. Indeede, by this likenes in the number of heads and hornes it hath paſſed along, by a miſtaking at the firſt, from hand to hand, in the pen of almoſt all Expoſitors, that hereby is typed out the Romane heathen Empire: but wee ſee by the difference ſo great betweene this beaſt and the Dragon, as alſo by other reaſons, that they cannot be both one, though they do agree in theſe things, which agreement is made only to declare, how he is the Dragons ſubſtitute. For it is ſaid, chap. 13. 3.Why the Dragon and Beaſt agree in ſeuen heads and ten hornes. I. That the Dragon gaue him his power, that is, leaue, way, and withall, habilitie to ſucceed him; becauſe what hee had, he gaue to this beaſt, to make him great: thus is the word taken, chap. 17. 13. for when the Dragon (called the Diuell and Satan) chap. 12. 9. in the Heathen Emperours, was caſt p. 57out from Rome, there was leaue and way for this beaſts entrance in, and the Diuell by all his force and ſubtilties gaue power & ſtrength to this beaſt, to take poſſeſſion of that place, in ſtead of the heathen perſecuting Tyrants. II. Hee gaue him his ſeate, hence is it, that this beaſt hath ſeuen heads, becauſe Rome is his ſeate, where the Emperours ſate, being ſituate vponupon ſeuen hills, chap. 17. 9. and becauſe of the ſeuen kinde of gouernments at Rome. III. Great authoritie: Now to expreſſe this, this beaſt alſo hath ten hornes, and the ſame crowned, which are tenne Kings, chap. 17. 12. by whoſe great authoritie hee getteth victorie and preuaileth againſt all that roſe vp againſt him. Thus we ſee the text taketh away this miſt, which hath been before the eyes of many Interpreters.

II. Argument proouing the Pope (out of thisThe ſecond argument, that the Pope is that Antichriſt. booke) to be Antichriſt, is fetched from his ſeate at Rome thus: He that is the liuely head of that Church, which profeſsing Chriſt is againſt Chriſt & his Church, is that Antichriſt. This is cleere from the like nature of the true head and body together; for if the body bee againſt Chriſt, the head by which that body liueth and moueth, muſt needes bee againſt Chriſt. But the Pope is the head of that Church, which profeſsing Chriſt is againſt Chriſt and his Church. For hee is the head of the Romiſh Church, and that Citie, which firſt is myſticall Babylon, the whoriſh woman, chap. 17. 5. 18. as hath been proued, and the ſame alſo oppoſite to the true Church, as is alſo before fully ſhewed. Therefore is the Pope of Rome that Antichriſt. If any ſay, that they are not Antichriſtians, p. 58neither he Antichriſt that maketh a profeſſion of Chriſt, for Antichriſt muſt be one in oppoſition to Chriſt. I anſwere, that the prepoſition foreign, noteth not only an oppoſition, as in the word foreign, to reſiſt and ſtand againſt, Matth. 5. 39. as Iannes and Iambres withſtood Moſes, 2. Tim. 3. 8. but it noteth the putting of one thing for another by way of exchange, as Eſau ſold his birth-right foreign for a morſell of meate, Hebr. 12. 16. The Pope herein is Antichriſt, being more prophane then Eſau, in changing Chriſts Spouſe, the true Church, for y^• whore of Babylon, the falſe Church. Alſo it noteth one to bee in the place of another, thus Archilaus reigned foreign in the roome of Herod, Matth. 2. 22. And thus is the Pope Antichriſt, euen a proud Archilaus, ruling as a Prince ouer Gods people; and as wicked Herod, pretentending to ſuch as ſeeke Chriſt, to bee his Vicar, and to deſire to worſhip him, when indeed he ſeeketh to murther Chriſt, in his members, as Herod did ſeeke the life of Chriſt himſelfe, and to deſtroy him did put to death many innocents, as this Herodian Antichriſt, or Antichriſtian Herod the Pope hath done. If theſe aduerſaries replie, that foreign may note ſubordination in oppoſition, yet not in compoſition, I anſwere, what is foreign, but one caſe for another? foreign, ſuch things as are ordained in the new Teſtament for thoſe that were in the old time before, 1. Pet. 3. 21? Therefore albeit hee proclaime himſelfe Chriſts Vicar, and thoſe of his kingdome to be Chriſtians, yet hee being againſt Chriſt indeed, and his, the falſe Church alſo, as is p. 59proued, hee is Antichriſt, and they (the Papiſts) Antichriſtians.

III. Argument in this booke, is in chap. 13. 11,The third argument, prouing the Pope that Antichriſt. where mention is of another beaſt, from which I reaſon thus: This beaſt is that grand Antichriſt, ſo Bellarmine ſaith all men doe confeſſe, lib. 3. cap. 10. & 15. de Pontif. Rom. and if any ſhould denie it, the text it ſelfe maketh this propoſition ſound. For he that exerciſeth all the power of the kingdome of Antichriſt, is Antichriſt: but this beaſt doth ſo, chap. 13. 11. for hee exerciſeth all the power of the firſt beaſt, which I hauehave proued to be the kingdom of Antichriſt, or Romane Eccleſiaſticall ſtate vnderunder him: therfore is this beaſt Antichriſt. Againe, this beaſt giueth life to that ſtate, chap. 13. 15. and with this beaſt that ſtate is ouerthrowne, chap. 19. 20: therefore is this the head thereof, and that very Antichriſt. Many other arguments may be vrged from the text, but theſe two ſhall ſuffice to confirme what is alreadie granted. But the Pope of Rome is this beaſt. Therefore that grand Antichriſt. He that is the eighth and one of the ſeuen, is this beaſt. This is alſo acknowledged by Bellarm. lib. de Pont. Rom. 3. cap. 10. 15. from chap. 17. 10. where the firſt beaſt, chap. 13. 1. with chap. 17. 3. with this head (the eighth and one of the ſeuen) are made one and called the beast, that is, the head with the body, the King with his kingdome, the Antichriſt with his dominion. But the Pope of Rome is the eighth and one of the ſeuen. This I before hauehave ſhewed, how hee in his Pontificalitie and Popedome is this beaſt, accounted the eighth and one of the ſeuen. Therefore p. 60is he this beaſt, which fully appeareth in this, that the Pope in al things is like this beaſt, as his Popedome is like the other beaſt.

THE TRVE LIKENES AND FVLL agreement of the Pope and this beast, ſhewing them to bee one and the ſame in ſubstance.

Thus we ſee this beaſt, and the Pope to bee both one; and therefore that grand Antichriſt.

IV. and laſt argument is from chap. 9. verſ. 1.The fourth argument, that the Pope is that Antichriſt. and verſ. 11. that the Pope is Antichriſt, which I will onelyonly but propound for breuitie ſake in theſe formes. The ſtarre fallen from heauen to the earth is that Antichrist, as may appeare by his authority giuen him, and effects thereof; But the Pope of Rome is the ſtarre fallen from heauen to the earth, that is, from the true and heauenly Church, to the falſe and earthly, as his doctrines, now held and taught by him, contrary to the doctrine of the Church of Rome, taught in S. Pauls Epiſtle written to the true and heauenly Church then, doe plainly euince.

p. 75Thus in theſe and many moe points of great weight doe they teach and beleeue, contrarie to the ancient Church of Rome in S. Pauls time; and therfore hath the Pope and his people fallen from that firſt true and heauenly Church, to a falſe and earthly. Therefore is he the ſtarre fallen, and that Antichriſt. Againe, to conclude this point: The king of the Locuſts is that Antichriſt for hee is the Angell of the bottomleſſe pit, and alſo the beaſt aſcending out of it, chap. 11. 7. and 17. 8. But the Pope of Rome is the king of the Locuſts; for theſe Locuſts are his creatures, and he is Apollyon a deſtroyer, as all his doctrine, worſhip, bloodie perſecutions, maſſacres, treaſonable practiſes in his approued ſeruants, ſet on by him to ſtab, poyſon and otherwiſe to murther Kings at his commaund, doe publiſh to the world. Therfore is he that grād Antichriſt. And thus it appeareth fully and plainly by this booke to all vsus Proteſtants that doe ſee, and to any Papiſt that will ſee, that the Pope is Antichriſt, that Rome is Babylon, that very Church the Whore, and all thereof Antichriſtians.

Queſt. Some perhaps here will aske me, if the true Church be ſo liuely here painted out, and this Antichriſtian ſtate of Rome ſo plainly diſcouered, as I ſeeme to make it; why doe not the Papiſts themſelues, eſpecially the learneder ſort of them, ſee the ſame and come out of Babylon?

Anſw. Many reaſons there bee for this, and to giuegive the Reader ſatisfaction, that hee may not ſtumble hereat, as many doe, (who doe ſo behold men, their place, their learning, and ſeeming p. 76deuotion, as they are therewith carried away, becauſe they ignorantly know not, or careleſly regardReaſons why the learneded Papiſts come not out of Babylon. not to know, the true reaſons of this their ſo continuing in ſuch a damnable eſtate) let him conſider ſeriouſly of theſe reaſons.

I. Becauſe Rome is an inticing whore, beautifull,1. Reaſon, Rome is an inticing whore. rich, and of great authoritie, chap. 17. 2. and 19. 2. and maketh her louers drunke with the wine of her fornication, and carrieth them away with her delights, chap. 17. 2. and 18. 3. Wee ſee that a man addicted to whoredome, and led with ſuch an inticing whore, and made drunke by her; can hee in that ſtate forſake her? Yea though he ſometime awake and conſider with himſelfe of his eſtate, yet as long as ſhe is with him, he ſtill yeeldeth, as Samſon to a Dalilah, till he come to deſtruction. Such is the ſtate of the great pompous Clergie and Clerkes of Rome; and therefore no marueile they returne not, being drunke with the pleaſures, profits and honors of that ſtate, and liuing deliciouſly with that inticing ſtately Queane and mother of harlots, who hath varietie of whoriſh trickes to retaine her beſt beloued louers.

II. Becauſe this booke of the Reuelation2. Reaſon, they cannot vnderſtand this booke. was ſent from God to his owne ſeruants, to bee ſhewed to them, and not to the wicked, though neuer ſo wittie bondſlaues of Antichriſt, branded with his character and marke, chap. 1. 1. to whom it is not giuen to know the ſecrets of the kingdom of heauen, but only to the flocke of Chriſt and his choſen ones. Matth. 13.

III. Becauſe they be of the world, and cannot p. 77receiue the ſpirit of truth, Ioh. 14. 17: neither can3. Reaſon, they cannot receiue the ſpirit of truth. they beleeue, becauſe they receiue honour one of another, and ſeeke not the honour which commeth from God only. Ioh. 5. 44.4. Reaſon, they faine a falſe Antichriſt.

IV. Becauſe they bee like the Scribes and Phariſies, who could ſpeake of their Meſſias; but yet when he came, ſome would not acknowledge him through infirmitie, fearing to be put out of the Synagogue, and becauſe they loued the praiſe of men more then the praiſe of God, Ioh. 12. 42. 43: ſo ſome beleeue vsus to bee in the truth, and themſelues out of the way; yet for feare to loſe their places and credits with that ſtate, they confeſſe not the truth.

Some other would not acknowledge Chriſt of meere enuie and malice, conuicted of the truth in their owne conſciences; ſome ſuch alſo there may be, whoſe ſtate is moſt damnable. Otherſome there are, and theſe the moſt of the learned ſort, who like as the Iewes did acknowledge the Meſſias in the Scriptures, yet framed a Chriſt and his kingdome out of their owne braines, ſuch a one as the Scriptures neuer taught; whereby the people miſled, could not know Chriſt indeed, but then did, and yet doe expect the comming of ſuch a one, whereas Chriſt was alreadie come, & was among them. Euen ſo theſe learned Papiſts, though they acknowledge that the grand Antichriſt is in this booke; yet for that they hauehave framed ſuch an Antichriſt out of their owne wicked wits, as the booke doth not lay open vntounto vsus, they expect him to come, who indeede and truth is their head in the midſt among them: and ſo by their falſe doctrine p. 78of Antichriſt, and by their wilfull oppoſing the light cleerely diſcouering him, they wretchedly keepe the poore ſeduced people blinde, that they cannot ſee how they liue vnderunder, in ſtead of Chriſts Vicar, the very Vicar of the Diuell, the grand Antichriſt and Pope of Rome.

V. Becauſe in generall the things that belong5. Reaſon, that is hid from them which they ſhould know. to the peace of that people are hid from their eyes, in Gods ſecret counſell, as once from Ieruſalem, Luk. 19. 42, though plainly enough then by Chriſt foretold, that that Antichriſtian ſtate might come to deſtruction, and the word of the Lord be fulfilled, according as here in this book he plainly foretelleth, that ſo due vengeance may be taken thereof, for the blood of the Saints & ſeruants of Chriſt ſhed vponupon the earth. What God hath decreed ſhall come to paſſe: the wicked will not hauehave that grace to foreſee betime, and preuent by amending, but through vnbeleeſe will goe on in ſin and periſh. Did not the Lord ſay plainly that the dogs ſhould eate Ieſabel, and that in the gates of Ieſrael? was it not plaine enough? yet neither ſhe, nor her 400 prieſts of Baal tooke heed thereunto to preuent it, but rather ſoothed her vp in her wickednes, and ſecured her in ſinne, till the day of her deſtruction. So ſhall it verily fall out with this Ieſabel of Rome, who is plainly told of her deſtruction, cap. 17. 18. and 19; yet by the ſoothing of her Baals prieſts they make her ſecure, till a day come that God ſhall raiſe vp a Iehu to reuenge his quarrell vponupon the head of them all, to their ruine and ouerthrow; which the Lord Ieſus haſtē, euen ſo Amen.

p. 79VI. Becauſe theſe great Clerkes ſimply ſeeke6. Reaſon, they ſeeke not after the truth. not the truth, but the glorie and maintenance of their ſtate, as appeareth by their dealings: I. In withholding the word from the people. II. In maintaining a corrupt tranſlation. III. In only allowing thoſe truths which ſerue to vphold their ſtate, but oppoſing, teaching and practiſing contrarie to any euident truth, which may any way croſſe their Antichriſtian doctrine and gouernment, and idolatrous worſhip and ſuperſtitious practiſes; approue they will not any truth againſt them, but what they are forced vntounto for common ſhame. IV. In peruerting the truth, by wicked and moſt falſe diſtinctions, playing faſt and looſe, as they liſt and like of. V. In falſifying Councels, corrupting Fathers, pretending their authoritie, where they make for them, (whether the writing, whence the teſtimonie is fetched, bee true or falſe, they care not): but if any Councell or Father bee againſt them, they by one deuice or other ſhake off the authoritie. VI. In vpholding their ſtate and the credit thereof by counterfeit miracles, lying ſignes, forged deuices, humane traditions, legends of lyes, trecherie, treaſons, murthers, ſorceries and open rebellions. The truth of theſe things are to bee either read in ſtories, or ſeene in their daily diſputatiōs againſt vsus, or elſe are wel enough knowne to vsus all, by their courſes and continuall practiſes among vsus, and therefore no marueile that theſe come not out from that Romiſh Antichriſtian ſtate.

VII. Becauſe they ſeeke to expound this book p. 80only by meere wit, and by their onelyonly humane learning, 7. Reaſon, they of purpoſe obſture the truth.and by ſole teſtimonies of men conſenting with them, the truth thereof, their comments hereupon doe plainly ſhew; by which only naturall and outward helpes, they are ſo farre from opening the booke, and declaring the truth therof, as they may ſeeme to any iudicious reader, to endeauour of ſet purpoſe to couer their Antichriſtian ſtate, to obſcure vtterly the Text, and to burie the truth it ſelfe, that it may neuer come to the light. They ſhould know, that though wit and reaſon bee neceſſary, learning in tongues and arts bee very needfull, much reading in hiſtories, and the labours of godly and learned men cannot bee wanting; yet if one thing bee wanting, all theſe are of no efficacie or forcible effect, to open vntounto vsus the myſteries of God in this booke. The author muſt be the reuealer, euen the holy ſpirit, without which we cannot conceiue the things heerein deliuered. Iohn muſt be in the ſpirit, to ſee things preſent, cap. 1. 10. He muſt be in the ſpirit to ſee things to come, chap. 4. 2. to ſee the whore of Babylon and her damnation, chap. 17. 3. and to ſee the ſpouſe of Chriſt, the new Ieruſalem, chap. 21. 10. Spirituall things are ſpiritually diſcerned, 1. Cor. 2. and by the ſpirit muſt be taught, without which, though the words bee neuer ſo eaſie and plaine, the reader ſhall not ſee what is before him. If God open not our eyes, we ſhall remaine blind, and not behold what is before vsus in the open Sun-ſhine.

Let me here demand of ſuch as doe ſtumble atNo reaſon to ſtumble at the Papiſts blindnes. the blindneſſe of the Papiſts yet, in the cleere light p. 81of truthes, as if it ſtill were of force to make them to doubt, whether their ſtate be ſo bad, as we ſhew it to be, or no; let me (I ſay) aske them: I. whyWhy men remaine ignorant of apparant truth. did not the people in Moſes dayes know the Lord, who ſo apparantly ſhewed himſelfe vntounto them by miracles, and wonders, by iudgements and ſtrange deliuerances, the like neuer ſeene nor heard of? was it not (as Moſes ſaith, Deut. 29. 4.) becauſe God gaue them neither eyes to ſee, nor eares to heare, nor hearts to perceiue? II. Why did not the fooliſh Idolaters diſcerne their groſſe follieWhy Jdolaters diſcerne not their madneſſe and follie. and madneſſe, when they bowed vntounto a piece of wood, worſhipped it, and prayed vntounto it, deſiring deliuerance from it, as God; which Idoll themſelues made with their owne hands, yea and of the ſame matter which they made it of, they tooke and turned to othervſes? doth not the Prophet giuegive a reaſon? Becauſe God (ſaith hee) hathEſa. 44. 17.▪ 20.Isa 44:17Isa 44:20 ſhut vp their eyes, that they cannot ſee, and their hearts that they cannot vnderſtand, nor conſider what they doe, a deceiued heart hath turned them aſide: reade the place, and weigh it well. III. IfWhy Balaams Aſſe ſaw, what his maſter could not ſee. any yet thinke, becauſe they be ſuch great Clerkes, that it ſhould not be poſſible for them not to ſee, what other ſeely ones doe ſee, I aske them; whyNumb. 22.Num 22 did the poore and ſeely Aſſe ſee and ſpeake before his maſter Balaam? Was it not for that God had opened the poore beaſts eyes to ſee and auoid the perill, and alſo his mouth, to ſpeake vntounto his great maſter, ſo renouned with Balak, and worldly potentates; who yet remained without the ſight of that which the Aſſe ſaw, though he wanted not his p. 82naturall eye-ſight? The Lord hideth his counſels from the wiſe and prudent when hee will, and reuealeth them vntounto babes, and very aſſes, in compariſon of theſe great and grand maſters, high in the eyes of earthly mindes; becauſe ſo it is his good pleaſure. Mat. 11. 25. 26.

Obiect. But ſome (perhaps) may yet hauehave one ſtumbling blocke before them, and may ſay vntounto mee; well, though this bee a good ſatisfaction to any concerning thoſe that are in Babylon, of the Romane ſtate, and neuer were of vsus; yet why ſhould ſuch as bee among vsus, ſome learned, ſome great perſons, and others fall off from vsus to them?

Anſw. If any one propound this out of an honeſtWho they be, that be come now in this ſo cleere light, Apoſtates from vsus. Malecontents. heart to reſolue himſelfe, then let him conſider and be ſatisfied, and the Lord perſwade him as the truth is: Such as fall from vsus, are either malecontents, high ſpirits, thinking better of themſelues then they deſerue of the ſtate, and wanting an anſwerableneſſe to their owne expectation; out they goe like male-contents, with ill intents. Or they beeBuſie headed, quick-wicked. Polypragmaticall fellowes, and will hauehave employments according to their humours; and if not here, then in, and vnderunder that buſie ſtate, which by an inſtrument will put an oare into eueryevery mansNouices in religion. boat, as we ſay: or they being young Nouices, trauellers, not before well grounded, (though ſome (perhaps) by good education well inſtructed) who by vaine ſights, great ſhewes of deuotion, glorious outward worſhip, outward workes of great coſt in that voluntary religion, and by quick-wicked wits, inſtrumēts of ſeduction, cunning Artiſans of Antichriſt, p. 83chriſt, (pretending antiquitie, vrging vniuerſality, alleaging mens teſtimonies, and falſly accuſing vsus) are brought into a fooliſh conceit and approbation of that way, and into an vngodly diſlike of our holy profeſſion, againſt al truth and verity of Scripture.Such as had no louelove of the truth. Or they bee meere carnall proſeſſours formally, ſeruing God in our Church; but indeed neuer receiued any ſincere louelove, of the truth, neither euer felt any effectuall power thereof; therefore God in his iuſt iudgement, ſendeth them ſtrong deluſions, that they ſhould beleeue a lie, that they might be damned, 2. Theſſal. 2. 11. 12. Or they beeBad-liuers. wicked liuers here with vsus, either as open prophane, or more cloſely vicious; who (for that they, according to their knowledg and meanes of ſanctification offered, glorifie not God, neither were thankfull) doe become vaine in their imaginations, and their fooliſh heart is darkened, and are giuen ouer of God, Rom. 1. 21. Or they be ſuch, as in a wellmeaningSimple and ignorant. (as men ſay) hauehave a will to ſerue God, but yet know not how, for want of illumination, and ſpirituall wiſdome in heauenly things; and ſo by ſeducers, Prieſts, Ieſuites, and papiſticall ſpirits, pretending antiquity of old religiō (which indeed is new) the cuſtome of fore-fathers, and many ſuch falſe grounds, (the only grounds of Antichriſts religion) are taken in the ſnare of mens inuentions, and are led by a falſe deuotion, to death and damnation, vnleſſe they repent. Or elſe they be ſuch as hauehave played the hypocrites with God and men in this ſtate, pretending to be of our Church, but indeed and truth, Antichriſtians in their hearts; ſuch p. 84as be all our Church-Papiſts at this day among vsus. Theſe are the Apoſtats from vsus to the Apoſtaticall Romiſh Synagogue. See before who are Papiſts, and weigh the cauſes there.

Thus I hauehave ſhewed why ſome Papiſts, though learned, returne not to vsus, and why ſome miſerable ſoules fall away from vsus, that we might not ſtumble at theſe things, when the reaſons truly laid downe be well weighed, which (I hope) will be of force to eſtabliſh the heart of eueryevery true beleeuer, and if God pleaſe, may ſerue alſo to bring ſome backe againe, or at leaſt be a meanes to preuent others from falling; which God of his mercy grant.

Amen.